A huge thank you is dueto all who attendedour Parent Orientation,Thursday evening!Give yourself a pat on the backfor showing your supportfor the school,for me,and for your child.Our class boasted one of the highestparticipation rates in the school,and I had a great time talking to you.

continuing appeal for parents to put some pressure on students in particular areas

tour of our school (time permitting)

If you have a child in a different class, his/her teacher will also make a presentation - though I doubt our presentations will look alike in any way.Please plan to attend this important event at either the 5:30 or 6:00 presentation time.

The first paper homework went home, yesterday, and is due by Friday. The problems and prompts on this homework is like the work fourth graders are expected to do nationwide. Parents, please spend some time with your child and help him/her as much as you want on this work. If you don't understand something, just write a note on the work to let me know I need to spend some time in class on a particular problem.

In addition to the paper homework, please continue to study basic multiplication facts with your fourth grader until s/he knows it inside and out. Believe me, I understand it's a lot to ask (My own daughter is also in fourth grade, this year.), but this, along with 30 minutes of reading, is crucial to a successful year.

When we break apart the skills involved in reading comprehension, we are constantly amazed at how many skills there really are. We use the same skills when we watch TV shows, listen to music, and view advertisements.

They are everywhere: in magazines, in newspapers, on the radio, at the movie theater, and on television. It is important that we protect ourselves from marketing "tricks", which are intended to "hook" the viewers/readers/listeners. Perhaps the product is cheaply made. Maybe it isn't as it appears. Is it worth the price? Is it something you need? Let's dive right in to a commercial and hone our reading skills along the way.

The commercial below is for a product we all know - Silly Putty.

QUESTIONWhat is the author's purpose?Why is the spokesman smoking while advertising a product for children?Who is this spokesman? Is he a military man?When was this commercial produced?

PREDICTChildren will (not) be attracted to Silly Putty, because...Children will (not) enjoy the product, because...

INFERThe spokesman is not really telling us what happens when Silly Putty is left out of its egg.Silly Putty copies the newsprint, because...Why does Silly Putty stretch when pulled slowly, but break when yanked fast?

CONNECTSilly Putty is like slime, because...My experience with Silly Putty tells me...Other products that reminds me of Silly Putty are...Silly Putty might also be used for...Does Silly Putty do things you did not know it did?FEELWhen saw the man in the uniform, I thought...The smoking made me think...EVALUATEDoes this commercial pique your interest in Silly Putty?Would you like buy a product like this?Is the price a bargain? Is it too high?What would make this commercial more effective?

Sometimes, when we go to the movies or as we watch a show on TV, we are transported into the plot. Directors understand that their selection of background music can change and enhance a scene.

Now it is time to turn it around. This time, the music comes first. As it plays, allow it to transport you into a scene that has yet to be written. Then, write the scene. Use all the visual imagery you can muster in your writing. At the end, you will share your writing. Will it stand on its own, without the music in the background?

Parents, please plan to visit the school, next Thursday evening. Teachers will present information to parents in what our principal is calling Curriculum Night. There will be two opportunities for presentations (5:30 and 6:00), in which I will highlight the expectations for our class.

This evening is not like Open House or Meet the Teacher Night. It's not like monthly events in which we highlight academic endeavors and fun family activities. This Thursday is really more about information. I really want to partner with parents, and to do so, I need you to understand how things work for our classroom: what we're going to do and how we're going to get there.

Your children are still loved, but their attendance at this event is optional.

This is the view outside our door. The work has finally begun to prepare the ground for the new gymnasium and community safe room. Following the 2011 EF5 tornado that swept through our area and damaged our school building. Since these pictures were taken (Monday), the rail and much of the concrete ramp have been removed.

This building, once completed, will serve the neighborhood by being available at any time there is a threat of a weather emergency. During the day, the facility will be a new gym facility for the school, and our old audicafenasium will become our new cafetorium. This is the second major addition to Cecil Floyd since it was originally constructed in 1985.

In the photo below, Cecil Floyd teachers pose under the new pavilion on our playground. The pavilion, which replaces the one destroyed by the May 22, 2011, Joplin tornado, is looking quite stout back there. You have to see it to fully appreciate it.